Fairfax Media has revealed a breakdown of figures from its 13.2 million strong readership for the month of March, with print now behind digital for most of its mastheads. 

Gloomy results for print have boosted Fairfax boss Greg Hywood’s argument that seven-day print models are no longer viable in today’s digital age.

Out of the media conglomerate’s 13.2 million readers, those who buy newspapers are now in the minority, with 6.2 million people reading printed newspapers.

Fairfax’s two biggest titles, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age saw far less readers accessing print, The SMH garnering 2.1 million in print audiences compared to 4.8 million in digital, and The Age’s loyal print readers reached 1.5 million compared to 2.5 accessing the digital version.

The Australian Financial Review however saw around 300,000 more readers buying the printed newspaper compared to digital audiences.

Readership results have remained fairly stagnant compared to February figures, with print audiences for SMH and The Age remaining the exact same, and AFR paper consumers dipping by only 5000.

The print results arrive shortly after Fairfax chief executive Hywood gave a blunt verdict for the future of weekday editions of the masthead trinity, stating a boutique weekend-only print model will likely soon be adopted.

Comment below to have your say on this story.

If you have a news story or tip-off, get in touch at editorial@sprinter.com.au.  

Sign up to the Sprinter newsletter